While it might not be a topic of everyday conversation, there’s no denying that Band of Brothers stands as an indisputable masterpiece among TV shows. Even though it’s been more than twenty years since its debut, this HBO miniseries has aged like fine wine. Perhaps this enduring quality is what has paved the way for an exciting new companion series, Masters of the Air.
The highly anticipated World War II drama series is scheduled to make its premiere on Apple TV+, and now the streamer has unveiled the premiere date alongside tantalizing first-look photos.
With up-and-coming star Austin Butler at the helm of the cast, the nine-episode limited series will be brought to life by the acclaimed trio of Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Gary Goetzman, the masterminds behind Band of Brothers and The Pacific.
Masters of the Air will kick off with the release of two episodes on January 26, and subsequently drop one new episode every Friday until March 15. This release mirrors the approach of its predecessors, Band of Brothers and The Pacific, both of which have been reinvigorated, finding fresh, enthusiastic audiences on Netflix.
When Hollywood titans Spielberg and Hanks join forces, audiences are guaranteed riveting World War II stories, as evidenced by their previous collaborations. Master of the Air, which is a visual adaptation of Donald L. Miller’s eponymous novel, was initially introduced as a launch title for Apple TV+ in 2019.
The upcoming series is set to pay homage to the valiant men of the 8th Air Force, whose bravery and camaraderie were pivotal in defeating Nazi Germany during World War II. With a whopping production budget of approximately $250 million for the nine-episode series, Masters of the Air promises to be a visual and narrative feast.
The show boasts a massive cast that includes talents such as Barry Keoghan, Ncuti Gatwa, and Callum Turner. The script will be penned by Graham Yost and John Orloff (who also wrote the screenplay for Band of Brothers).
Executive producer Gary Goetzman spoke about the essence of the show, stating,
Masters of the Air is a salute to the brave men of the 8th Air Force, who, through their courage and brotherhood, helped defeat Nazi Germany in World War II. Tom and Steven have always wanted to visualize cinematically what our author Don Miller has called, this ‘singular event in the history of warfare.’ We’re thrilled that Apple TV+ has given us the opportunity to combine the efforts of so many talented people, on-screen and behind the camera, to tell this important story.
You can catch up on Band of Brothers and its companion show, The Pacific, on Netflix in preparation for Masters of the Air, which is poised to offer something truly special, continuing the legacy of its predecessors.
